MH-139 Grey Wolf Reaches Initial Operational
The U.S. Air Force's new MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter is now operationally ready for nuclear security missions, replacing the older UH-1N Huey fleet.
The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command announced on Monday that the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter has achieved initial operational capability. This milestone, effective August 10, clears the aircraft for nuclear-security missions as the service continues to replace its UH-1N Huey fleet.
Replacing The Huey
The MH-139A is based on Leonardo's commercial AW139 airframe. It is produced through a partnership where Leonardo builds the helicopter in Philadelphia before transferring it to Boeing for the installation of military-specific equipment. According to the Air Force, the new Grey Wolf offers significant performance improvements over the legacy UH-1N.
Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, acknowledged the Huey's long service. "For more than half a century, the UH-1N Huey has been a key element of our Intercontinental Ballistic Missile security," Davis said. He stated that the MH-139 will "significantly improve our capabilities."
The service claims the Grey Wolf is nearly 50 percent faster than the UH-1N and can carry twice as many troops. It also features updated defensive and command-and-control systems.
| Feature | MH-139A Grey Wolf | UH-1N Huey |
|---|---|---|
| Speed (vs. UH-1N) | Nearly 50% faster | Baseline |
| Troop Capacity | Twice as many | Baseline |
| Max Speed | 167 knots | Not specified in source |
| Max Range | 410 nautical miles | Not specified in source |
First Operational Missions
Operational work for the Grey Wolf began earlier this year. In January, two helicopters from the 40th Helicopter Squadron escorted a Minuteman III maintenance and security convoy. The mission covered more than 100 miles over six hours near Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. The helicopters completed the flight without needing to refuel.
Broader Mission Profile
The aircraft's primary role will be to support operations across the 20th Air Force's vast missile-security area, which spans roughly 33,600 square miles. This support will continue as the Air Force transitions its land-based deterrent from the Minuteman III to the new LGM-35A Sentinel missile.
Beyond nuclear security, the Grey Wolf will also be utilized for a variety of other missions. These include emergency response, search and rescue, disaster response, and medical evacuation. The helicopter's listed maximum speed is 167 knots with a maximum range of 410 nautical miles.
